HBR Working Parents Starter Set (5 Books)

16

Stop Feeling Guilty About Your To-Do List

by Rebecca Knight

Quick Takes

• Recognize that supporting others is being productive
• Accept that your to-do list will never be done
• Trim down your list and make the goals credibly achievable
• Let go of goals that aren’t worth your investment
• Be prepared to work through your emotions again and again

You’re getting that feeling again: You’ve been busy for hours, and your to-do list has barely been touched. You feel guilty for not getting more done. But this emotion is neither useful nor healthy. So, what can you do about it? How should you handle feelings that you’re letting down your coworkers, boss, kids—and even yourself? How can you learn to accept that you are doing the best you can? And, what ...